Run Hide Tell: advice and staff briefings.

ProtectUK publishes Counter Terrorism Policing’s Run Hide Tell guidance for members of the public facing a firearms or weapons attack. Use the official material when explaining it, so the conditions attached to each action remain clear.

The Home Office distinguishes this personal advice from the procedures a premises or event needs. It is not a substitute for venue arrangements or a complete set of staff instructions under Martyn’s Law.

Martyn’s Law and venue responsibilitiesThe four public protection procedures

Consider whether you can get away without moving into greater danger. Leave belongings behind and do not stop to film. Encourage others to leave with you, without allowing their indecision to delay your escape.

For a venue briefing, discuss how staff would recognise alternative routes and avoid directing people towards a known threat. The nearest familiar exit may not be the safest option in the circumstances.

If you cannot escape, hide and seek suitable cover. Being out of sight does not guarantee protection. The official advice includes locking and barricading where possible, moving away from doors, remaining quiet and silencing phones, including vibration.

Connect this with your venue’s choices about safer areas and access controls. Keep escape from fire possible and remain alert to changing danger. An instruction to hide should not become an inflexible rule to remain in an unsafe place.

What invacuation meansHow dynamic lockdown works

Call 999 when it is safe. Give the location, what is happening, where attackers were last seen and any useful descriptions. If you cannot speak or make a noise, listen to the call handler’s instructions.

Include your venue’s address and relevant access information in staff preparation. Discuss how someone can pass on updates without approaching danger, and how the team will avoid conflicting or speculative messages.

Use the official advice alongside a discussion of your own premises. Ask staff and volunteers to explain who gives instructions, which routes and safer areas they know, and how information reaches visitors. Include people on different shifts and regular hirers.

Martyn’s Law does not require a paid training course. Its venue and event duties are not yet in force, with commencement expected in spring 2027 and no exact date confirmed. Practice and briefings can help preparation. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

• Use official learning material appropriate to the audience.
• Explain local responsibilities alongside personal safety advice.
• Check access and communication needs.
• Discuss what changes if the usual route or manager is unavailable.

Check your venue’s Martyn’s Law tierMartyn’s Law training and free learning